Charleston County Schools Take Steps for Safer Campuses
In Charleston County, South Carolina, a wave of concern for school safety has led to new measures designed to protect students and staff. State Representative Wendell Gilliard has been actively advocating for a bill that would make weapons detectors mandatory in all public schools across the state. Gilliard has been championing this cause since 2018, and as the momentum builds, it’s clear that many within the community are on board with enhancing security protocols.
Weapons Detectors: A Step Towards Safer Schools
Even though the call for state legislation is ongoing, many schools in the area have taken the initiative to adopt these weapons detectors voluntarily. Particularly in the Charleston County School District (CCSD), students at high schools have started walking through these detectors which are specifically programmed to identify only firearms—a remarkable leap from the typical metal detectors we’re used to seeing.
Some students are sharing how they feel about these additional security measures. According to high school student Ayla Hollar, “Sometimes it feels like we’re not really doing enough. But the weapons detectors, I feel it’s just a step forward. It’s beneficial to our schools.”
Proactive Measures in Practice
The Charleston County School District has been using weapons detectors for the last two years, even without a state directive. Rep. Gilliard insists that it’s time for a change, stating that the first step towards success is securing funding to implement these detectors at all educational levels, from elementary schools to high schools.
Gilliard believes the increasing number of weapons found on school campuses is a growing concern. “The amount of weapons that they’re finding, that are getting into schools at all levels in South Carolina, it’s going to get worse, and we better be prepared,” he emphasized. “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
Understanding the Safety Protocols
In response to national crises, such as the tragic shooting at Parkland High School in Florida, CCSD established a Random Search and Safety Team. This proactive team conducts unannounced searches across various high schools at different times during the school day. The goal is to deter any potential threats before they escalate.
If a school community feels it needs additional support, they can request a full-time weapons detection program. Michael Reidenbach, CCSD’s executive director of security and emergency management, stated, “If students don’t feel safe, if teachers don’t feel safe in the school, then the educational process, which is our number one mission, really can’t go forward as successfully as it needs to.”
Community Concerns and Responses
While CCSD continues to bolster its security measures, some precautionary actions have already shown success. So far this school year, no students have been found with firearms on campus, and the only gun discovered was linked to a contractor, who posed no threat to students.
However, threats to schools can swiftly arise; just recently, there was a notable increase in social media threats following a high-profile school shooting in Georgia. Monitoring from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division revealed that as of mid-September, there were 60 threats across 23 counties, a clear signal of the times we live in.
Reidenbach has assured the public of the district’s commitment to safety. “If we do encounter a situation where we hear a possibility of a threat, we respond to it 24 hours a day,” he mentioned. Collaboration with law enforcement is essential to thoroughly investigate any possible threats.
Looking to the Future
One important thing to note is that Charleston County Schools currently do not receive state funding to support the implementation of weapons detectors. As such, the district has started to budget for these necessary tools. As Rep. Gilliard pushes forward with his legislative efforts, it will be interesting to see how schools across South Carolina can further enhance their safety protocols to create a secure environment for both students and teachers alike.
